By Dhruv Kalia
The Government of India’s Ministry of Education, through its Department of Higher Education, has recently unveiled the “Guidelines for Registration and Regulation of Coaching Centers 2024” (“Guidelines”). The main goals of these Guidelines include creating a structured system for the registration and oversight of coaching centers, outlining essential operational standards, safeguarding the welfare of students, promoting a well-rounded development through co-curricular activities and offering career guidance and psychological support.
The introduction of these 2024 Guidelines follows a surge in complaints received by the government, especially in Kota, Rajasthan which is an education hub for coaching centers for the preparation for competitive examinations. The city has witnessed a concerning trend, with the highest recorded instances of suicides reported since 2015 as per the National Crime Records Bureau report. These complaints encompassed various issues such as an alarming increase in student suicides, incidents of fires, inadequate facilities in coaching centers and concerns regarding the teaching methodologies employed by these establishments. In response, the government has taken the initiative to address these pressing issues and enhance the overall safety and quality of coaching centers through the implementation of comprehensive Guidelines.
Overview of the Situation in Kota
Kota, once renowned as the educational hub for cultivating India’s future engineers and doctors, is now grappling with a distressing reality, being labelled as a “suicide factory”. The city has been witnessing a tragic surge in cases where aspiring students, overwhelmed by the intense academic pressure, are resorting to taking their own lives. Over the span of five months, from April to September 2023, a staggering 19 students ended their lives in Kota, marking the highest toll in a single year since data collection began in 2015. However, a survey conducted by the Kota Chief Health and Medical Officer, Jagdish Soni, during the same period revealed an even more concerning figure – at least 83 other students were identified as severely depressed, shedding light on the widespread mental health challenges faced by the student community in the region.
In view of rising cases of suicide, the Rajasthan government has issued comprehensive guidelines for the regulation of coaching centers, particularly in Kota, a renowned coaching hub. The guidelines include barring students below class 9 from admission, implementing mandatory screening tests for new admissions, organizing batches alphabetically instead of by rank and establishing an ‘easy exit and refund policy’ to reduce the pressure on struggling students. Monitoring centers will be set up in Kota and Sikar, major coaching centers in the state, to ensure compliance with regulations. The guidelines also emphasize gatekeeper training for teachers, institute managers and hostel wardens to identify behavioural changes in students and take preventive measures. Additionally, the guidelines recommend the appointment of professional psychiatrists and counsellors to regularly assess students’ psychological health and provide counselling. The guidelines discourage the publicizing of test results and prohibit the glorification of toppers by coaching institutes. A regular check on the implementation of guidelines will be ensured through meetings every 10 days with stakeholders, district administration and police. While some coaching authorities welcome the guidelines, a sociologist criticizes them, attributing student suicides to the cultural isolation imposed by coaching centers and the challenging examination syllabus.
The state government is taking proactive steps to tackle the growing problem of mental health issues, including depression and suicides, among students enrolled in coaching institutes. To address this serious concern, the government is currently working on introducing the Rajasthan Coaching Institute (Control and Regulation) Bill 2023. This bill is designed to specifically regulate and control coaching institutes, aiming to create a framework that ensures the well-being of students and addresses the mental health challenges they face while preparing for competitive exams.
Judicial Decisions for Coaching Centers
The Rajasthan High Court, deeply concerned about the increasing cases of student suicides in coaching institutes, has directed the Advocate General (‘AG’), Nyaya Mitra and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (‘NCPCR’) to provide recommendations on preventing such incidents, particularly in Kota and Sikar district. The court, in connection to a suo motu cognizance of student suicides in coaching institutes, has asked for a framework to establish an effective psychological counselling system. The court emphasized the need for an efficient counselling system, suggesting involvement from entities like the Mental Health Foundation. The NCPCR stressed the importance of focusing on the psychological counselling of children and the AG, Nyaya Mitra and NCPCR are expected to provide recommendations for developing such a system.
The Supreme Court of India recently addressed the alarming increase in student suicides, attributing it to intense competition and parental pressure related to exam preparation. During a hearing on regulating coaching institutes, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti acknowledged the severity of the issue but expressed limitations in issuing directives. The bench suggested the petitioner present recommendations to the government, emphasizing the government’s role in addressing the concerns. The petitioner’s plea aimed at overseeing private coaching institutes, particularly those for competitive exams, citing the lack of regulation and attributing student suicides to unchecked practices. Concerns included young students’ enrollment, intense preparation and adverse living conditions. The petition stressed mental health as a human rights concern and criticized the government’s alleged negligence. Despite granting withdrawal of the plea, the court permitted addressing student well-being and mental health through an appropriate forum.
Conundrum of Guidelines for Registration and Regulation of Coaching Centers 2024
The Ministry of Education has issued new Guidelines for the registration and regulation of coaching centers across the country after receiving complaints regarding the increasing prevalence of unregulated private coaching centers that were imposing exorbitant fees and placing undue stress on students. These Guidelines mandate that coaching institutes providing training for professional courses must be registered and adhere to various regulations. Notably, they cannot enroll students below 16 years of age, charge exorbitant fees and provide psychological and mental health support to students. The Guidelines emphasize the need for coaching centers to prioritize the mental well-being of students due to high competition and academic pressure. They suggest conducting classes without putting undue pressure on students and establishing mechanisms for immediate intervention to assist students in distress.
The Guidelines encourage coaching institutes to involve counsellors and experienced psychologists to provide psychotherapeutic services for resolving mental stress and depression. The definition of a coaching center includes a place providing coaching for study programs, competitive examinations, or academic support to more than 50 students at the school, college and university levels. The Guidelines require prior registration with the designated state authority and a code of conduct is prescribed, including conditions such as tutors having a minimum qualification of graduation. The Guidelines impose penalties for violations, with fines ranging from ₹25,000 for the first offense to revocation of registration for subsequent offenses. Regarding fees, the Guidelines mandate that they should be fair and reasonable, with no increases during the course duration. Students who leave a course mid-way are entitled to a refund for the remaining period, including hostel and mess fees.
Minimum standard requirements for coaching centers are outlined, emphasizing fire safety and building safety certification, well-ventilated classrooms and separate toilets. Additionally, coaching classes should not be conducted during students’ working hours, with a maximum of 5 hours of classes per day. Weekly offs for both students and tutors are also required, along with customized leave during festivals. The Guidelines stress the importance of providing information about various career options to reduce stress among students. Coaching centers are instructed to conduct mock tests to assess students’ capabilities and convey realistic expectations to both students and parents. The Guidelines also establish a complaint mechanism for students, parents, or tutors/employees to address grievances within 30 days, with the coaching center given an opportunity to be heard.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the unveiling of the 2024 Guidelines by the Ministry of Education represents a significant step towards addressing the pressing issues surrounding unregulated private coaching centers in India. The government’s proactive approach stems from a surge in complaints, particularly in education hubs like Kota, Rajasthan, where the alarming increase in student suicides has raised concerns about the overall safety and quality of coaching centers. The Guidelines not only focus on the structural and operational aspects of coaching centers but also prioritize the mental well-being of students, acknowledging the intense competition and academic pressures they face.
The emphasis on involving counsellors and psychologists, conducting classes without undue pressure and establishing mechanisms for immediate intervention reflects a holistic approach to student welfare. Simultaneously, the Guidelines aim to set a standard for coaching centers by imposing conditions such as minimum qualifications for tutors, reasonable fees and adherence to safety norms. The penalties for violations underscore the government’s commitment to enforcing compliance and ensuring the well-being of students. The situation in Kota, Rajasthan, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for such Guidelines. The alarming rise in student suicides prompted the state government to issue comprehensive regulations, including measures like barring younger students from admission, implementing screening tests and establishing an ‘easy exit and refund policy’ to alleviate the pressure on struggling students.
Despite these positive steps, challenges remain, as highlighted by the judiciary’s involvement in addressing the issue. The Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court have expressed concerns about student suicides, emphasizing the need for effective psychological counselling systems. This judicial oversight reinforces the gravity of the situation and underscores the collaborative efforts required from various stakeholders, including educational institutions, government bodies and mental health professionals. In essence, the 2024 Guidelines signal a pivotal moment in regulating coaching centers to ensure a conducive and safe learning environment for students. However, continuous monitoring, strict enforcement and a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders will be crucial in translating these Guidelines into tangible improvements in the education landscape, safeguarding the well-being of students pursuing their academic aspirations.
The author of this article is Dhruv Kalia, a law student at National University of Advanced Legal Studies.
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